I've Decided That I Am Well Worth It. Riverside, CA

I am a patient of Dr. Joseph Ku, who performed my breast reduction in December 02, 2015. This reduction was not done for cosmetic purposes, it was deemed medically necessary and covered by my insurance company. Since I was having the reduction for medical reasons, my mind never really traveled to how I would look estetically. I was merely focused on getting relief. But once I had the surgery, I was absolutely amazed at Dr. Ku's work. He is an artist, and he is extremely gifted at his craft. I have healed wonderfully, and am 150% satisfied with the results. Dr. Ku made this process a breeze for me. He endured that I were in good hands, and he kept his word on that every step of the way! He is a doctor who can be trusted, and because I trust him so much, I have decided to allow him to do my tummy tuck!!!

I have had a struggle with my abdominal area since before the birth of my first born daughter (now 20 years old). I was born with an abdominal hernia, and experienced diastasis recti, loose skin, and severe stretch marks. All which have gotten worse with the births of my other two children. On top of that, I've had 3 c-sections! Needless to say, my stomach has been a battle field.

Over the years, I have struggled with body image issues regarding both my breast and stomach. I absolutely love the rest of my body, but both my breast and stomach have made me feel some type of way about myself for over 20 years! Imagine not being happy for over 20 years. It's like serving a prison sentence!!! I have often carried a certain amount of guilt around whenever I would decide that I wanted to do something about the appearance of my body. Especially my breast. Looking back, I think a lot of that guilt came from worrying about what my family and others would think about my decision. With my breast, I knew that I would not consider a reduction until I was done having children, so my breast was in essence the lesser of the two evils!! Lol! But my stomach was a different story. I have gone to endless consultations regarding abdomnialplasty over the course of 20 years, and have been in a position where I wasn't ready because I knew I was going to want more children, could not imagine having the means of affording, fearful of the process of hernia repair and abdomnialplasty, and feeling guilty about wanting to alter the look of my body. But this desire to change it, never died and my misery has grown more and more. I'm tired of being the girl who covers up at the spa, I'm tired of being the girl who won't wear a bathing suit (not even a full one, let alone a bikini), tired of being the girl who would go in for bra fittings for shame of someone seeing my body, tired of being in a close intimate sexual relationship because I was feeling that my imperfections have to be intolerable to a man since they are so intolerable to me. I had just grown tired! But, I am one all of that. Since having my BR, I have gained a totally new perspective!! I now include my breast as one of those parts of my body that I love!!!! ???? And while I have a man who loves me and all of my flaws,(He's such a sweet man, and I thank God for him) I've decided that doing an abdomnialplasty will be entirely for me!!! I am so excited about this phase of my life, and anxious to get things done!!

This is going to be the first time in my life that I have had to make a sacrifice to do something special for myself. The truth of he matter is, I don't just have $10,000 laying around in a bank account for me to spend. But, I have created a foreseeable plan that will allow me to make this happen for me! I am so worth the investment! I have completed my consult with Dr. Ku and signed my proposal. My plan is to pay for half of the cost no later than mid-March, and then make aggressive monthly payments to pay as much off as I can by June, and finance any remaining balance. My goal is to be on the flat side well before my birthday in September. So my journey begins now!!!

I have also planned to drop 15 pounds before the procedure, and try to lose as much abdominal fat as possible. (I would like to avoid lipo of my sides and flanks if at all possible). I want to tone as much as possible since I know I will have to avoid the gym for some time after the procedure. That'll give me at least 4 to 5 months to reach that goal. I think it's very doable.

Dr. Ku has decided that it will be best to bring in a different physician to do my hernia repair since it's so large. So it will be necessary for me to get a referral from my primary care doctor so that I can begin that process.

I am beyond excited about this journey!! It begins now!

I will be adding some before pictures of my belly momentarily. And, I'll also add pictures as I go showing my weight loss.

If anyone has any suggestions, please feel free to offer them!

For years, I have gotten in the great practice of knowing how to hide all of this junk! It has stopped me from doing a lot of what I enjoy. But most of all, it has stopped me from ever wanting to show my flaws to anyone, including any one that I have been in a relationship with. My mission is to finally get to a place where I enjoy and appreciate my "entire" body. My stomach is the only area that I don't fully like. I definitely see the potential of how it can be sculpted through exercise and excersision of the extra skin. So my goal is to spend the next few months working on sculpting as much as I can by losing abdominal fat so that my PS can have the best canvas that I can offer.

Here are some of my pics:

I had an appointment with my primary care physician on Monday, February 15, 2016 in order to get a referral to a surgeon, who will conduct my hernia repair. That appointment is set for March 1st., 2016.

I am both nervous and excited. I'm nervous because I have to deal with the whole hernia repair. I'm certain that it's an easy fix, but I guess the anxiety is in that I don't know what to expect. I'm excited, because I have no doubt that my PS will do a remarkable job on my TT. I have been perusing this sight looking at before and after pics, and I'm beginning to ask myself more and more, why didn't I do this a long time ago. Like in my 20's? Lol!! I've been eyeing bikinis, and I have two in particular that are must haves.

I have begun a walking regiment, and will be returning to the gym in the morning. I'm trying to lose at least 15 pounds, and as much belly fat as I can. I would like to avoid lipo of my sides and flanks, if at all possible. I don't mind working hard at getting things in order to the best of my ability. My present weight is 185 lbs., so I'd like to get down to 170 lbs. I figure I might loss a few additional pounds with the surgery, and I do not have the desire to be any smaller than 165 lbs.

As far as the cost of my procedure, I have elected put half down now (my plan is to make initial payment after seeing the general surgeon), and make monthly payments until June, at which time, any remaining balance will be financed. Before now, I couldn't imagine coming up with $10K for something like this, but I had to consider how many times I have gotten substantial tax returns that I have completely blown, with nothing to show for it. And I've also had credit card debt for things that are less important than investing in me. With a few minor adjustments with saving, this is doable, and I am well worth it!!

I'm thinking about making a video journal regarding my procedure since while I have been doing my research, I haven't seen enough videos which include women who have both extreme diastis recti and umbilical hernias. I figure that perhaps my journey could help someone else.

That's all for now. Next post: Appointment W/General Surgeon.